Key takeaways
- Best overall for a patio: Blackstone 28-inch Omnivore Griddle.
- Best for large families and entertaining: Blackstone 36-inch Omnivore Griddle.
- Best for a balcony or compact storage: Blackstone 17-inch Tabletop Griddle.
- Best compact option with useful batch capacity: Blackstone 22-inch Tabletop Griddle.
- Best for a built-in outdoor-kitchen plan: A 36-inch freestanding model, provided the installation remains manufacturer-compliant and has adequate ventilation.
The best Blackstone griddle for most patios is the 28-inch Omnivore, while the 36-inch Omnivore is the better choice for large families, frequent entertaining, and outdoor kitchens; balconies and small storage areas are better served by a 17-inch or 22-inch tabletop model.
Blackstone’s lineup is easier to choose by cooking area than by appearance. The key trade-off is simple: a larger surface cooks more food in one batch, but it needs more floor space, weighs more, consumes more propane, and is less convenient to store. Before buying, measure both the cooking location and the route through which the griddle must be carried.
Blackstone® 1883 Original 28" Omnivore Griddle with Hood, Black
Included for 'Best Blackstone Griddles for Outdoor Cooking' because the listing specifies Black, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Blackstone® 1813 Original 22" Tabletop Griddle with Hood
Included for 'Best Blackstone Griddles for Outdoor Cooking' as a relevant option in this category; details come from the product listing.
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Blackstone® 2350 OTG 22" Omnivore Griddle with Hood, Black
Included for 'Best Blackstone Griddles for Outdoor Cooking' because the listing specifies Black, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Blackstone Original Portable Griddle with Built-in Hood, Black, 36 Inch
Included for 'Best Blackstone Griddles for Outdoor Cooking' because the listing specifies Black and 36 Inch, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on AmazonBest Blackstone griddles by outdoor-cooking situation
- Best overall for a patio: Blackstone 28-inch Omnivore Griddle.
- Best for large families and entertaining: Blackstone 36-inch Omnivore Griddle.
- Best for a balcony or compact storage: Blackstone 17-inch Tabletop Griddle.
- Best compact option with useful batch capacity: Blackstone 22-inch Tabletop Griddle.
- Best for a built-in outdoor-kitchen plan: A 36-inch freestanding model, provided the installation remains manufacturer-compliant and has adequate ventilation.
Blackstone griddles compared
The figures below describe commonly sold current configurations. Hood, side shelves, stand, wheels, and model-specific accessories can change the final weight and footprint, so confirm the exact configuration before ordering.
| Model type | Cooking area | Burners and output | Approx. weight | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17-inch Tabletop | 267 sq. in. | 1 burner, about 12,500 BTU | About 22 lb | Small balcony, camping table, one or two people |
| 22-inch Tabletop | 339 sq. in. | 2 burners, about 24,000 BTU | About 40–45 lb | Small patio, tailgating, four-person meals |
| 28-inch Omnivore | 524 sq. in. | 2 burners, about 34,000 BTU | About 80 lb | Most patios and regular family cooking |
| 36-inch Omnivore | 768 sq. in. | 4 burners, about 60,000 BTU | About 120 lb | Large families, parties, and outdoor kitchens |
Cooking area is more useful than the advertised width. A 36-inch griddle has about 46% more cooking surface than the 28-inch model, but it does not cook 46% faster automatically. Its advantage is parallel cooking: pancakes can occupy one zone while bacon, eggs, or vegetables use another. The 28-inch model is often the better value when meals are for two to six people and storage space is limited.
Surface area and burner output: what the numbers mean
17-inch and 22-inch tabletop models
The 17-inch model is a single-zone solution. Its compact surface can handle several burgers or a modest breakfast, but it offers limited separation between foods. It is most practical when portability matters more than throughput. You will usually need a sturdy, heat-resistant table, and the table must leave room for the propane connection and grease cup.
The 22-inch tabletop model adds a second burner and enough area to create two heat zones. That makes it more forgiving for beginners: one side can be hotter for browning while the other stays lower for warming. It is still portable in principle, but its roughly 40-pound weight makes it a carry-with-two-hands appliance rather than a casual one-handed take-along.
28-inch Omnivore
The 28-inch Omnivore is the practical middle ground. Its 524 square inches can accommodate a family breakfast or a dinner with burgers, buns, and vegetables without requiring the footprint of a full 36-inch station. Two independently controlled burners provide useful zoning, and the Omnivore plate design is intended to improve heat distribution compared with older griddle designs.
It is still a substantial object. With shelves and stand attached, it needs a permanent patio position or a nearby storage area. Treat its wheels as positioning aids rather than as a reason to lift or roll it across uneven ground.
36-inch Omnivore
The 36-inch model wins when batch size is the priority. Four burners let you run several temperatures and keep raw, cooking, and finished food separated across the surface. This is especially helpful for parties because food can be cooked continuously instead of in successive batches.
The extra surface also increases the cleaning workload. More steel must be scraped, lightly oiled, and protected after cooking. If you normally cook only two burgers or a couple of steaks, much of the 768-square-inch plate will remain unused while still requiring maintenance.
Grease management and cleanup
Blackstone griddles use a rear grease-management system on many current models: food debris and rendered fat are pushed toward a channel and into a removable cup. This is convenient, but it does not make the griddle maintenance-free. Grease can cool and harden in the channel, especially after bacon, burgers, or marinated foods.
A reliable cleanup routine is:
- Reduce the heat after cooking. Leave enough warmth to loosen residue, but do not burn grease aggressively.
- Scrape toward the grease channel. Use a suitable griddle scraper and keep the edge controlled so debris does not scatter onto shelves or the ground.
- Empty the cup when it is cool. Do not wait until it is nearly full; a full cup can spill when the griddle is moved.
- Wipe away the remaining film. Excess water can encourage rust, particularly around edges and the grease opening.
- Apply a very thin oil layer. Too much oil becomes sticky and can turn rancid under a cover.
The rolled-steel cooking surface is durable, but it is not rust-proof. The seasoning is a maintenance layer, not a permanent nonstick coating. Moisture trapped beneath a cover, leaving acidic food residue overnight, or storing the griddle outdoors without adequate protection can cause surface rust. Light rust can generally be removed and the surface re-seasoned; deep pitting is a more serious ownership problem.
Balcony, patio, or outdoor kitchen?
Balcony fit
A 17-inch tabletop griddle is the safest fit from a space perspective, but the balcony rules matter more than the product dimensions. Many apartment buildings restrict propane cylinders, open-flame appliances, or cooking near combustible walls. Check building and local fire requirements before purchase. Never place a tabletop griddle on a flimsy folding table, indoors, or in an enclosed balcony where combustion gases can accumulate.
A 22-inch tabletop model can work on a generous balcony, but allow clearance around the cooking surface and propane cylinder. The cooking area alone is not the full operating footprint: add space for utensils, a plate, and safe movement around the hot appliance.
Patio
A 28-inch freestanding model is usually the easiest patio recommendation. It provides enough area for normal family meals without making the griddle the dominant piece of outdoor furniture. Look for a level, noncombustible location with room to open the lid if included and to remove the grease cup.
Large outdoor kitchen
The 36-inch model suits a dedicated cooking zone, especially when the household often serves eight or more people. Plan for propane-hose routing, clearance, cover storage, and access to the grease cup. A freestanding appliance should not be casually modified into a countertop cutout. Follow the model’s installation instructions and local fuel and ventilation requirements rather than treating it like a built-in grill.
Decision matrix
| Your situation | Recommended size | Why | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|
| One or two people, limited storage | 17-inch | Lowest weight and smallest footprint | One heat zone and small batches |
| Two to four people, occasional use | 22-inch tabletop | Two burners without a full stand | Still heavy to carry regularly |
| Four to six people, weekly cooking | 28-inch Omnivore | Good surface-to-footprint balance | Needs dedicated patio or storage space |
| Large family, frequent hosting | 36-inch Omnivore | Maximum batch capacity and four zones | Highest weight, fuel use, and cleaning effort |
Assembly, storage, and ownership realities
Tabletop models generally require less assembly, while freestanding models involve attaching legs, shelves, handles, wheels, and sometimes a hood. Reserve a clear floor area for assembly and have a second person available for larger units. The most common mistake is tightening every fastener fully before shelves and legs are aligned; loosely fitting the frame first usually makes final assembly easier.
For storage, measure the folded or shelf-removed dimensions rather than relying on the nominal 28- or 36-inch name. A cover protects against dust and light weather but does not replace dry storage. Keep the grease cup clean, protect the gas hose from sharp bends, and disconnect the propane cylinder according to the appliance instructions before long-term storage.
The parts most likely to need attention are the seasoning, grease cup, ignition battery, regulator or hose, and wheel hardware—not usually the steel plate itself. A weak spark may be a depleted battery rather than a failed burner. Uneven heating can result from normal burner-zone behavior, wind, a dirty burner, or an unlevel surface, so check those causes before assuming the griddle is defective.
Final recommendation
Choose the 28-inch Omnivore if you want the best balance of capacity, burner control, patio footprint, and ongoing effort. Choose the 36-inch Omnivore when cooking for a crowd is a regular event and you have permanent space. The 22-inch tabletop is the flexible compact choice for smaller patios, while the 17-inch tabletop is the sensible pick when storage and portability outweigh batch size. Whichever size you choose, confirm fuel rules, measure the complete operating footprint, and plan for routine scraping, oiling, and dry storage.
